Helping my child get ready for starting school

2. How you can help your child

Here are some ideas for you to help your child be ready for school:

• Encourage your child to be independent. For example hand washing, getting dressed and at mealtimes.
• Encourage them to be curious about the world around them.
• Share stories with your child every day and encourage them to talk about their favourite parts.
• Play games together to help them be active and physical every day.
• Sing number songs and rhyming songs together.
• Help your child to understand how others might feel.
• Help them to join in conversations by listening to them and asking for their ideas.
• Encourage them to use language to express what they need or how they feel.
• Model listening and following simple instructions in day to day things.
• Help your child to understand what is special about them.